Variable line spacer



VARIABLE LINE SPACER Filed Jan.20, 1927 h 3/ a 6 i 4 7 INVENTOR wnNEssEs Emmeizihrue BY W.

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES V EMMET T. HARNEY, F GARWOOD, NEW JERSEY.

VARIABLE LINE SPACER.

Application filed January 20, 1927. Serial No. 162,350.

This invention relatesto variable spacers and more particularly to. a line spacer adapted for use in connection with a weil known type of typewriter in general use.

The object of the invention to provide a simple form of attachment which can. be operated by one hand and which when given a partial rotary or turing movement will impart a longitudinal movement to release the clutch between the ratchet wheel and cylinder or platen of the typewriter.

I am of course aware that a device of this character is in common in which a longitudinal movement causes a release of the ratchet Wheel from the cylinder to permit of variable line spacing, but such a device re quires the use of both hands, one hand to prevent forcing the cyli'xn longitudinally while the clutch n'iechanisnris released, and my invention is designed as a distinct improvement which enables the operator to release the clutch by one hand, transferring a.

rotary motion into a longitudinal motion so that there is no stress or pressure on the cylinder to force it longitudinally.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim. 1

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is aview, partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section, illustrating my improved attachment in connection with a Well known type of typewriter in general use;

Figure 2 is a view, partly in elevation but mainly in longitudinal section, showing the parts as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2,

showing the position of parts when the clutch is released;

Figure 1 is an exaggerated view in trans verse section on the line 1 of Figure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 are views in elevation of my improved cam sleeve.

1 represents the cylinder or platen of a typewriter having a disk 2 fixed to the end of the cylinder, and a ratchet wheel 3 located against the disk 2 and operatively connected to said disk by means of a standard type of clutch having arms 41, 4 extending into the cylindrical bore 5 of the platen or cylinder.

. I have not attempted to illustrate in o'etail theclutch as this is standard equipment, but I merely illustrate the arms 4} which control the clutch and com itute a part thereof, so that in reality the arms l may be construed as clutch members.

6 represents a shaft which extends longiand tl'lrough the tudinally into the bore 0 tilfill i and ratchet wheel 3. and projects be yond the ends of the cylinder, forming a supporting trunnion 7 mounted in a bearing 8, this hearing adapted to be secured to a lined part of the machine, as is well understood in the art.

8 represenu a block mounted to slide on the shaft 6 unhin the cylinder 1 and having cam faces 9 thereon engaging the ends of the arms 1. A coil spring 10 located back of the block 8 exerts pressure on this block to normally hold the cam faces 51 in engagement with the arms to hold the clutch in its engaged position, that is, securing or locking the ratchet wheel 3 to the disk 2. This position of the parts is clearly indicated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

On the block 8 a plate 1.1 is secured and is operatively engaged by a finger 12 on the end of a rod 13. This rod 13 lies within a longitudinal groove 14: extending to the outer end of the shaft 6. and the rod 13 normally extends beyond the ends of the shaft, as indicated in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2.

On the outer end or trunnion portion 7 of the shaft 6 I locate my improved cam sleeve 15, which fits the shaft but is adapted to slide freely thereon. 16 represents a tube located around the cam sleeve 15, and to which a knob or button 17 is secured to turn and move the cylinder as is customary.

The outer end of my improved cam sleeve 15 is closed and formed with a projection 18 on its closed end. 19 represents a cap which fits over the tube 16 and has an'opening receiving the enlargement 18. This enlargement 18 and the opening in the cap may be angular so as to compel the parts to turn together, or the sleeve and the cap may be secured together in any other manner so that when the cap is turnedthe sleeve will turn with it.

The trunnion 7 of the shaft adjacent its outer extremity is provided with 3. lug 20 which is movable through a longitudinal slot 21 in the cam sleeve 15, and is normally positioned in a cam slot 22 which communitudinally by reason of the engagement of the lug 20 with the walls thereof, and as this sleeve moves in one direction it forces the rod 13 longitudinally as it is to be under stood that the outer extremity of this rod 13hears against the closed end of the sleeve, as clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The inner extremity of the sleeve 15 is reduced in diameter and screw-threaded, as indicated at 23, to reoeive a nut 24: hearing against the end of the tube 16 to hold the parts in proper assemblage.

One wall of the cam slot 22 of sleeve 15 is made with a notch 25 therein to accommodate the lug 20 when the parts are in normal position so as to prevent accidental movement, but this lug is released from its locking engagement instantly when .the sleeve is moved longitudinally to the right of Figure 2, and the spring 10 holds the parts yieldingly in locked engagemei'it, as will be readily understood.

The operation is as follows:

' Figures 1 and 2 show the parts in normal position. When it is desired to vary the line space, the operator grasps the cap it) between the thumb and finger and imparts a turning or partial rotary motion thereto. As the cap and the cam sleeve 15 are lined to move together, the turning movement of the sleeve, by reason of the lug 20 and the cam slot 22, will impart longitudinal move ment to this sleeve and exert a push on the end of rod 13 to force the block 8 to the In other Words, this right of Figure 2 against the pressure of spring 10, so that the cams 9 are moved away from the ends of the clutch arms 4 and the latter'permitted to move sufiiciently to allow the clutch to he released. As this clutch locks, the ratchet Wheel 3 to the disk 2 it will be readily understood that When the clutch is released the cylinder can be turned in either direction, and after the adjustment is had thespring '10 will return the parts to normal position.

It is to be understood that the cap 19. may

be positively turned to permit the release of the clutch and bring the lug 11 into aline ment with the longitudinal portion 21 of the slot, and when in this position the parts will be held released until the cap is given a partial return movement, when the spring 10 will. complete this movement'of the part i to normal position.

Various changes and alterations might be made in the general form of the parts described without departing from my invention and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

1 claim:

The roinhination with a clutch controlling EMMET. T." HARNEY. 

